control variable

[ kuhn-trohl-vair-ee-uh-buhl ]

noun
  1. Also control .Statistics. a person, group, event, etc., that is used as a constant and unchanging standard of comparison in scientific experimentation.: Compare dependent variable (def. 2), independent variable (def. 2).

  2. (in computer programming) a variable that is used to regulate the flow of control, or order of execution, generally the number of times a loop will execute.

Origin of control variable

1
First recorded in 1910–15

Words Nearby control variable

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

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